Lois Elaine Searle's Obituary
After living a full life, Lois Elaine Searle of Fort Myers, FL, died at the age of 95 on Thursday, March 25, 2021. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Hope Hospice House.
Lois was the only child of Dorothy Irene Moeschlin and Bruce LLewellyn Hause. She was born April 22, 1925 in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Lois graduated from Sunbury High School. After the end of World War II, she married Stanley “Bud” Garfield Searle, Jr., whose family lived next door to hers in Sunbury. Lois and Bud had three children, Linda, Wayne, and Stanley “Buzz”. The family lived in Sunbury, Altoona, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in Deer Park, NY. After Bud retired from Gulf Oil, he and Lois enjoyed traveling and relocated to Fort Myers, FL.
While Lois mainly stayed home, caring for their children and home, she also liked working part-time jobs. Over the years she was employed as a bookkeeper, salesperson at J.C. Penney’s, and advisor at H&R Block during tax season.
After Bud’s death, Lois married Harold Kaelin of Fort Myers, FL. After Harold passed away, Lois and long-time friend Ernest “Tony” Spear, of Tappahannock, VA, became devoted partners for over 15 years, until the end of her life. Lois and Tony lived several years in Claremont, NC before returning to Florida.
Lois’s friendliness, sense of humor, and creativity came out in her welcoming nature and love of life. She was competitive and enjoyed sports, excelling in bowling and golf. She enjoyed traveling and experiencing new things. Lois loved the outdoors. She and Tony worked together in their garden, raising flowers and vegetables, and feeding and watching the birds attracted to their yard.
But most of all, Lois loved her family and friends. She was always there to love, support, help, and just enjoy being together. Visits by grandchildren were occasions to go swimming, bake chocolate chip cookies, play cards, and have fun. Lois’s family returned her love and are thankful for the many years they had together with this wonderful woman. She will always remain in their hearts.
Lois is survived by her partner-in- life, Ernest “Tony” Spear; her children, Linda Louise Delk-Hoveskeland of Annandale, VA, Wayne Robert Searle, of Punta Gorda, FL and Stanley Garfield Searle III, of Alva, FL, her grandchildren Bradford Dean Searle of Prince Frederick, MD, Megan Noel Searle of Cape Coral, FL, Amber Nicole Babbcock of Lehigh Acres, FL, Kimberley Jan Dean of Iowa, and Ryan Dale Searle and Casey Jason Searle of Texas, and many great grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the compassionate and respectful care Lois received while in the hospice house. Donations in Lois’s memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908 or online at Find HOPE / Hope Hospice - Florida
Immediate funeral ceremonies are private. Arrangements for Lois' final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555
To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time, please visit Lois' memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign her guestbook.
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